In Chair or at Home Teeth Whitening?
In chair or at home teeth whitening? Your choice…
By: Dr Ken Ho
With so many whitening solutions available for you to choose from, how do you know which is the safest, which offers the best results, how sensitive your teeth may become or how long they last?
In Chair / One Hour Whitening
The original professional tooth whitening system, in chair whitening can only be used by your dental practice. Your dental health is checked and you are advised of any problems before whitening commences. For example, dental decay must be attended to before any whitening treatment starts.
In addition to this, your dentist will discuss the results you can expect. If you have any dental restorations, these will not whiten therefore you need to make sure your restoration is the end result you require the rest of your teeth to match.
Once your dentist has give you the ‘all clear’, your in chair whitening experience can begin. Using a specifically formulated blue light technology, you are placed in a dental chair for approximately one hour with a gel on your teeth that is activated by the blue light. The process takes three 20 minute sessions This is activated in 6 ten minute sessions, each time having your teeth checked and making sure you are comfortable with your treatment.
On completion, you will see the results straight away and they are truly amazing. You will be advised not to eat dark foods, consume drinks which may stain, such as red wine or coffee and not to smoke for at least 48 hours after your treatment to avoid your newly exposed teeth from staining again very quickly.
It is also advised that some people may suffer from sensitivity from this type of whitening treatment. This can be dulled by using a sensitive specific toothpaste and staying away from extremely hot or cold food and drinks.
Depending on your diet and ability to maintain good oral health will determine the length of time your in chair whitening treatment will last. Normally 2 years is a good approximation however it does depend on how well you take care of your teeth. You may also be offered custom made trays to use as a top up whitening treatment if you feel your teeth are becoming slightly dull.
The more expensive of the two options, however if it is an instant bright, white smile you want then this is the solution for you.
Take Home Whitening
Using a much weaker whitening product than the one hour whitening, your take home whitening allows you the ability to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home and at your convenience.
In most cases, as generally in cases where a better result is achieved, your dentist will create impressions of your teeth to allow them to customise trays to your own mouth.
Once you receive these, you will also be give the required dose of whitening product and instructions on quantities and when to apply the whitening agent. As a starting point, it is often advised that you wear the trays and the agent for one hour a day, working up to longer and eventually over night.
The whitening treatment is normally completed over the course of a week and the results will start to show then. The more you do, the better the results you will receive however persistence is the key, remembering to wear the trays regularly.
Once you have achieved the colour you desire, you can then purchase more whitening agent to allow you to keep topping up your white smile when you feel it is becoming a little duller than you would like.
This option will never provide you with the same level of whitening as the in chair whitening as the strength of the whitening agent is not as strong. In addition to this, a treatment monitored by a professional ultimately does achieve a better result.
So, which is better? It’s your choice! There is a solution for everyone and at TOPGUM Dental Artistry, they can advise you on what is right for your smile.
***********
About the Author of “In chair or at home teeth whitening? Your choice…”
Ken Ho of TOPGUM and his experienced dental artistry team, specialise in Cosmetic Dentistry in North Sydney including Tooth Whitening, Dental Implants, Orthodontic Treatments and Dental Health.
**********
Savvy Spa | Spa Treatments >>>
Find the top spa lifestyle products, fitness accessories and wellness news. We have your favorite spa skin care, spa gift baskets, candles, spa beauty and aromatherapy. Savvy Spa – because everyone needs a little pampering. RSS.
clothing dog mad - December 29th, 2007 9:48 pm
Holiday Gift Guide: Tahoe themed…
Tahoe shot glasses, fridge magnets, calendars, coffee mugs, playing cards and clothing abound in gift shops all around the lake….